Midi stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It basically allows musical instruments to talk with computers and computers to talk to musical instruments. If you're interested in more detail, try the wikipedia article on midi files.

About the rehearsal midi files

Our midi files are not going to replace your favourite recording. In fact they'll sound rather tinny, but then they're just a rehearsal aid.

You'll hear your part, with the other parts faintly in the background so you can get a feel for the harmonies. Except for the ones under the link All parts, which play all parts equally loudly.

There will usually be no dynamics, pauses, rits etc.

You'll sometimes hear a little of the accompaniment, usually just the introduction or key phrases.

Just click on the link for the part you want to listen to (e.g. Soprano). The file will probably start playing in a new tab on your browser. I say probably because it will depend on whether your computer has the right software installed.

You will be able to pause, restart, control the volume, and fast forward/backwards. However depending on how your computer is set up, the results can be a little unpredictable.

Option 2 (better)

A better option is to save the files to your computer and play them from there. That way you can play them without having to be connected to the internet.

To save to your computer:

Right-click on the link for the file you want to save (e.g. Soprano).

Select Save Link As....

Select a folder to save it to (making sure it's a folder you'll be able to find again!)

Click Save.

To play a saved mid file:

Open the folder you where you saved the file.

Double-click on the file you want to play.The file will start playing in your default media player (probably Windows Media Player).

You will be able to pause, restart, control the volume, and fast forward/backwards.

NOTE: Your Friendly Midi Pixie finds that they play best using Windows Media Player.

Option 3 (best)

This option is for those who are reasonably confident with technology. To really get the benefit of using midi files, download some free midi player software and use it to play the midi files. This enables you to:

speed the music up or slow it down

mute all the other parts so you can just hear your part

gradually make the other parts louder so you get used to hearing them against your part

gradually fade your own part out so you get used to singing it against the other parts

start playing from a particular note

automatically replay a section of the music over and over again until you have mastered it

change what instruments the parts play as: for example, you can make your part play on a musical saw if you think that's a good idea

MP3 is a common audio format for consumer audio storage, as well as a de facto standard for digital audio compression for the transfer and playback of music on most digital audio players. If you want to know the technical details read this
wikipedia article.

Unless you have midi player software, you might find it more reliable to play the mp3 versions of the files rather than the midi versions. You will be able to pause, restart, control the volume, and fast forward/backwards.

You won't be able to speed up or slow down, make the other parts louder or softer, or change what instrument is used to play your part.

Just click on the link for the part you want to listen to (e.g. Soprano). The file will probably start playing in a new tab on your browser. I say probably because it will depend on whether your computer has the right software installed.

You will be able to pause, restart, control the volume, and fast forward/backwards. However depending on how your computer is set up, the results can be a little unpredictable - in particular it might sound a bit 'jerky'.

Option 2 (better)

A better option is to save the files to your computer and play them from there. That way you can play them without having to be connected to the internet.

To save to your computer:

Right-click on the link for the file you want to save (e.g. Soprano).

Select Save Link As....

Select a folder to save it to (making sure it's a folder you'll be able to find again!)

Click Save.

To play a saved mp3 file:

Open the folder you where you saved the file.

Double-click on the file you want to play.The file will start playing in your default media player (probably Windows Media Player).

You will be able to pause, restart, control the volume, and fast forward/backwards.